Milking device and a method of handling a milking device

ABSTRACT

The invention refers to a milking device and a method of handling a milking device. The milking device includes a milk-transporting member ( 1 ) having at least one teatcup ( 2 ) and arranged to transport milk from a teat of an animal to a milk-collecting member ( 4 ) during a milking state. A low pressure is connected to the milk-transporting member ( 1 ) for sucking the milk from the teat to the milk collecting member. A gas conduit ( 11 ) permits the introduction of a gas into the milk-transporting member. The gas conduit has a first end ( 12 ), which is a gas inlet member ( 15 ). The gas conduit has a second end connectable to a relatively low pressure for permitting a flow of a cleaning fluid from the milk-transporting member through the gas conduit during a cleaning state.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention refers to a milking device operable in a milkingstate and a cleaning state, the device including: a milk-transportingmember, which includes at least one teatcup to be attached to a teat ofan animal to be milked and is arranged to permit the transporting ofmilk from the teat to a milk-collecting member during the milking state,wherein the milk-transporting member is connectable to a relatively lowpressure for achieving said transporting by sucking milk from the teatto the milk-collecting member via the milk-transporting member duringthe milking state; and a gas conduit for the introduction of a gas intothe milk-transporting member during the milking state in order toenhance said transporting of milk, wherein the gas conduit has a firstend which is connected to the milk-transporting member and includes agas inlet member for the introduction of said gas into the gas conduit.Such a device is disclosed in WO98/28969.

The invention also refers to a method of handling a milking device,including at least one milk-transporting member including at least oneteatcup, during a milking state and a cleaning state, the methodincluding the steps of:

attaching the teatcup of the milk-transporting member to a teat of ananimal to be milked,

transporting milk during the milking state from the teat to amilk-collecting member by sucking milk to the milk-collecting member viathe teatcup and the milk-transporting member by applying a relativelylow pressure to the milk-transporting member; and

supplying a gas into the milk-transporting member via a gas conduit inorder to permit said transporting of milk, wherein the gas conduit has afirst end which is connected to the milk-transporting member andincludes a gas inlet member for the introduction of said gas into thegas conduit.

It is known to provide such a gas inlet member in a milking device,conventionally in the proximity of the teatcup or in a claw. The purposeof such a gas inlet is to create a flow of a gas, such as air, throughthe inner space of the milk-transporting member in order to enable thetransport of the milk, and to provide a uniform and efficient flow ofmilk. It is also important to mix as little air as possible in the milkin order to be able to maintain a high quality of the milk.Consequently, the opening is to have a small flow area. However, suchgas inlets have the drawback that they often become filled up with dirt,dust, milk residuals, flies, etc.

WO98/28969 discloses a milking plant including two conduits for thesupply of air to the milk-transporting member. One of these conduitsends in an upper part of the teatcup, and the other of these conduitends immediately beneath the teatcup in a milk conduit. These twoconduits are also connectable to a source of a cleaning liquidpermitting the cleaning liquid to be transported through the conduitsinto the teatcup and the milk conduit, respectively.

WO96/17509 discloses a milking device including teatcups, milk linesconnected thereto and means for transporting the milk from the teatcupsthrough the milk lines. Air suction lines are connected to and deboucheinto a respective one of the teatcups or the milk lines via a smallaperture. A problem of such a milking device is that the aperture mayget clogged by milk flowing through the teatcup and the milk line.

WO01/19176 discloses another milking device including a teatcup, a milksuction hose connected to the teatcup and means for transporting themilk from the teatcup through the milk suction hose. An aperture isprovided on a connector means between the teatcup and the milk suctionhose and provides a passage for air from the surrounding to the interiorof the milk suction hose. Moreover, a cleaning device is provided forcleaning the aperture and ensure the open flow area of the aperture.WO01/19176 proposes a plurality of different embodiments of the cleaningdevice, for example an external nozzle for jetting a fluid onto theaperture, an external nozzle for applying a suction effect to the regionof the aperture, or a conduit arranged within the pulse hose forsupplying a pressurised fluid to the aperture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the problemsmentioned above and to provide a secure and reliable gas supply to themilk-transporting member of a milking device. A further object is toprovide an efficient and convenient cleaning of the gas supplying means.

These and other object are achieved by the milking device initiallydefined, which is characterised in that the gas conduit, beyond the gasinlet member, has a second end which is connectable to a relatively lowpressure for permitting a flow of a cleaning fluid from themilk-transporting member through the gas conduit during the cleaningstate.

By such an arrangement, a gas such as air may be supplied in a uniformflow during the milking state, i.e. during the milking of the animal,through the gas conduit forming a substantially closed passage for thegas from the gas inlet member to the milk-transporting member. Such agas supply ensures and enhances the transport of milk from the teat tothe milk-collecting member. Moreover, by means of the relatively lowpressure, the cleaning fluid may be sucked through the gas conduit in anefficient and convenient manner during the cleaning state, so that saidgas supply to the milk-transporting member during the milking state maybe secured. Dirt and other particles, milk residuals, micro-organisms,etc. may thus be efficiently removed from the gas conduit, especially inthe proximity of the first end forming a gas outlet into themilk-transporting member. Furthermore, the cleaning of the gas conduitmay take place together with the cleaning of the teatcup, themilk-transporting member and further parts of the milking device, forinstance as a part of the regular cleaning operation. No externaljetting or spraying of any fluids is necessary for cleaning the gasconduit. The supply of the cleaning fluid may be performed within aclosed system of components. The cleaning fluid is supplied through thegas conduit during the cleaning state when no milking takes place. Insuch a way, it may be ensured that the gas outlet mentioned above isclean and fully opened when every milking operation is initiated, andthat no cleaning fluid will reach the milk and the milk-collectingmember. The cleaning may be controlled to be performed according to apredetermined scheme, for instance between substantially every milking,every second milking, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas inletmember includes an opening, which communicates with a relatively highpressure that is higher than said relatively low pressure. In such away, a flow of the gas through the gas conduit to the milk-transportingmember is ensured. Advantageously, said high pressure may be formed bythe surrounding environment, wherein the gas is air and wherein the highpressure may correspond to the atmospheric pressure.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the gasinlet member is provided at a distance from the first end and from themilk-transporting member. By arranging the gas inlet member at asignificant distance from the milk-transporting member and the teatcup,the gas inlet member may easily be protected from dirt, dust,micro-organisms etc. present in the environment surrounding the teatcup.For instance, the gas inlet member may include a conduit extending to aposition outside the milking stall building.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, therelatively low pressure to the milk-transporting member and therelatively low pressure to the gas conduit are provided by at least onevacuum pump. The vacuum pump may constitute the main vacuum source ofthe milking device and may thus be connected to the milk-collectingmember via a vacuum conduit.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the deviceincludes a cleaning device arranged to deliver the cleaning fluid to theteatcup for permitting said flow through the gas conduit during thecleaning state. Furthermore, the cleaning device may be arranged todeliver the cleaning fluid to the teatcup for permitting said flow tothe milk-collecting member. The cleaning fluid is thus collected in themilk-collecting member during the cleaning state, and may be transportedtherefrom by means of a pump or any other similar means be transportedtherefrom to an effluent outlet or be re-circulated. Still further, thecleaning device may be arranged to deliver the cleaning fluid to theteatcup for permitting said flow through the milk-transporting member.The cleaning fluid is thus transported simultaneously and in twosubstantially parallel flows through the milk-transporting member andthe gas conduit for simultaneous cleaning of these conduits.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaningdevice includes a cleaning nozzle to be introduced into the teatcup, anda supply unit for supplying the cleaning fluid to the cleaning nozzlefor said delivery of the cleaning fluid. Such a cleaning nozzle andsupply unit, which may form parts of a regular cleaning equipment forcleaning of the teatcup, the milk-transporting member and the milkingmember, may thus in a convenient manner also be used for the cleaning ofthe gas conduit.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the gasconduit includes a valve arranged between the gas inlet member and thesecond end, wherein the valve is adapted to be closed during the milkingstate and to be open during at least a part of the cleaning state. Bymeans of such a valve, and possibly a suitable control unit connected tothe valve, the cleaning of the gas conduit can be controlled to takeplace as a part of the regular cleaning operation.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first end of thegas conduit is connected to the teatcup. The gas flow may thus bepermitted directly into the inner space of the teatcup. Furthermore, themilk-transporting member may also include at least one milk hose,wherein the first end of the gas conduit may connected to the milk hosefor permitting said gas flow into the interior of the milk hose.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, themilk-transporting member also includes a claw, wherein the first end ofthe gas conduit may be connected to the claw for permitting the gas flowinto the interior of the claw.

The object is also achieved by the method initially defined, which ischaracterised by the further step of permitting a flow of a cleaningfluid from the milk-transporting member through the gas conduit duringthe cleaning state by applying a relatively low pressure to the gasconduit at a second end of the gas conduit beyond the gas inlet member.

Advantageous embodiments of the method are defined in claims 16 to 22.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means ofthe description of various embodiments and with reference to thedrawings attached hereto.

FIG. 1 discloses schematically a milking device according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 discloses schematically a milking device according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a milking device for milking an animal such ascows. The invention is not limited to milking of cows but may also beapplied to milking of other animals such as goats, cheep, horses,buffaloes etc. The milking device is operable in a milking state, duringwhich the animal is milked, and a non-milking, cleaning state, duringwhich the device is cleaned and not attached to an animal.

The milking device according to the first embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1includes milk-transporting member 1, including four teatcups 2 and fourmilk hose 3, wherein each teatcup 2 is arranged at an end of arespective one of the milk hoses 3. Each teatcup 2 is adapted to beattached to a teat of the animal (not shown) to be milked. Each teatcup2 may be of a conventional type with an inner space for receiving theteat, and a pulsation chamber for cyclically pulsating the wall definingthe inner space. The milk-transporting member 1 is via the milk hoses 3connected to a milk-collecting member 4 and thus arranged to permit thetransporting of milk from the teat to the milk-collecting member 4during the milking state.

A pump device, in the following a vacuum pump 5, is also connected tothe milk-transporting member 1 via the milk-collecting member 4 and avacuum conduit 6. The vacuum pump 5 is arranged to produce a relativelylow pressure in the milk-collecting member 4 and the milk-transportingmember 1. Consequently, the milk is transported in a conventional mannerby being sucked from the teats to the milk-collecting member 4 via theteatcups 2 and the milk hoses 3. From the milk-collecting member 4 themilk may then be conveyed in a conventional manner by means of a milkpump 7 to a milk tank (not shown) or any other suitable storing meansvia a milk line 8.

In order to obtain a uniform and proper flow of milk in themilk-transporting member 1 from the teatcups 2 to the milk-collectingmember 4, a respective gas conduit 11 is connected to each of the milkhoses 3 of the milk-transporting member 1. Each gas conduit 11 permitsthe introduction of gas into the milk-transporting member 1 in order toenhance the flow of milk to be transported therein. Each gas conduit 11has a first end 12, which is connected to the milk-transporting member 1and forms a gas outlet for the gas from the gas conduit 11 to themilk-transporting member 1. Furthermore, the gas conduit 11 has a secondend 13, which via a common connection conduit 14 is connected to themilk-collecting member 4. At an intermediate position, i.e. between thefirst end 12 and the second end 13, each gas conduit 11 includes arespective gas inlet member 15. The gas inlet member 15 may have variousdesigns. In the most simple form, the gas inlet member 15 may be formedby a small aperture 16 or hole in the gas conduit 11. In the embodimentsdisclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gas inlet member 15 includes a shortinlet conduit, which communicates with the gas conduit 11 at one end andwhich includes a small aperture 16 or hole at the other opposite end.Furthermore, in the embodiments disclosed the short inlet conduit at theaperture 16 is provided with a schematically indicated throttling 17,which is adapted to provide an inlet aperture 16 of a determined size.In the embodiments disclosed the aperture 16 communicates with theatmosphere of the surrounding environment E, which provides anatmospheric pressure, which is significantly higher than the pressureprovided in the milk-collecting member 4 by means of the vacuum pump 5.Consequently, during the milking state, air will be sucked from thesurrounding atmosphere through the apertures of the gas inlet members 15into the milk-transporting member 1 to improve the milk flow from theteatcups 2 to the milk-collecting member 4. The aperture 16 mayaccording to a further embodiment be positioned outside the milkingstall building and/or be provided with a filter for filtering the gas tobe sucked into the gas conduit 11 and the milk-transporting member 1.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1, the gas conduit 11 is connectedto the milk hose 3 of the milk-transporting member 1 for permitting agas flow into the interior of the milk hose 3. It is to be noted,however, that the gas conduit 11 also may be connected to the teatcup 2of the milk-transporting member 1 for permitting gas flow directly intothe inner space of the teatcup 2.

A valve 18 is provided on the connection conduit 14. During the milkingstate, the valve 18 is closed to ensure that the air from thesurrounding atmosphere is conveyed via the gas conduits 11 into themilk-transporting member 1 in the proximity of the teatcups 2.

It is to be noted, that the gas inlet members 15 also may includeforcing means, such as a compressor, for forcing a gas such as air intothe gas conduits 11 and the milk-transporting member 1. In such a case,a pressure higher than the surrounding atmospheric pressure may beobtained for improving the flow of milk in the milk-transporting member1.

The milking device also includes or co-operates with a cleaning device19. The cleaning device 19 is arranged to clean the gas conduits 11, themilk-transporting member 1, the milk-collecting member 4 and the pump 7.The cleaning device 19 includes a central cleaning equipment 20 having asupply unit 21 for providing a fresh cleaning fluid, preferably acleaning liquid. FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a so called re-circulatingcleaning arrangement, wherein the central cleaning equipment 20 isarranged to re-circulate the cleaning fluid in a manner known per se.

The cleaning device 19 also includes four cleaning nozzles 22 and fourcleaning fluid conduits 23. The supply unit 21 is connected to thecleaning nozzles 22 via the conduits 23. During a cleaning operation forcleaning the teatcups 2, the milk-transporting member 1, themilk-collecting member 4 and the pump 7, the cleaning fluid is thussupplied from the supply unit 21 via the cleaning fluid conduit 23 toeach of the cleaning nozzles 22. The nozzles are introduced into therespective teatcup 2 in a manner known per se. The cleaning fluid isthus introduced into the interior of the respective teatcup 2, and thussucked by means of the relatively low pressure produced by the vacuumpump 5 through the respective milk-transporting member 1 into themilk-collecting member 4. Thus, these components, i.e. the teatcups 2,the milk-transporting member 1, the milk-collecting member 4 and thepump 7 are properly cleaned. The cleaning fluid is then pumped by meansof the milk pump 7 via a return conduit 24 of the cleaning device 19back to the central cleaning equipment 20. As appears from FIG. 1, themilk line 8 includes a valve 25, which is open during the milking stateand closed during the cleaning state and the cleaning operationdescribed above. Furthermore, the return conduit 24 includes a valve 26,which is closed during the milking state and open during the cleaningstate and the cleaning operation.

During the cleaning operation, the gas conduits 11 may thus also becleaned. For obtaining such cleaning the valve 18 is opened. When thevalve 18 is open, the cleaning state is initiated, during which thecleaning fluid will be sucked from the teatcups 2 and themilk-transporting member 1 not only directly to the milk-collectingmember 4 via the milk-transporting member 1, but also via the gasconduits 11. In such a way an efficient cleaning of the gas conduits 11,and in particular the area of the gas conduits 1 in the proximity of thesecond ends 12 at the outlets to the milk-transporting member 1 may becleaned in an efficient manner. The flow of the cleaning fluid throughthe gas conduits 1 are enhanced and made more uniform thanks to theprovision of the gas inlet members 15 and the apertures 16 permitting acertain introduction of gas, such as air. The cleaning fluid flowingthrough the gas conduits 11 is thus also fed to the milk-collectingmember 4 and further transported back to the central cleaning equipment20 by means of a pump 7 via the return conduit 24. The cleaning of thegas conduits 11 may thus be performed as an integrated part of thecleaning operation regarding the teatcups 2, the milk-transportingmember 1 and the milk-collecting member 4. Preferably, the valve 18 isnot open, and the cleaning state initiated, until a certain time periodafter the cleaning operation has started so that dirt and particles inthe teatcups 2 will not be sucked into and clog the gas conduits 11during the cleaning operation.

The second embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2 differs from the firstembodiment in that the milk-transporting member 1 includes a claw 30 anda milk conduit 31. Each teatcup 2 and thus each milk hose 3 areconnected to the claw 30, which via the milk conduit 31 is connected tothe milk-collecting member 4. The milk from the teats of the animal isthus first collected in the claw 3 in a manner known per se, and thentransported to the milk-collecting member 4 via the milk conduit 31. Inthis embodiment, only one gas conduit 11 is necessary, which preferablyis connected to the claw 30 for permitting the gas flow to the innerspace of the claw 30. The gas outlet to the inner space of the claw 30is preferably arranged at an upper part of the claw, with regard to anormal milking position. When being cleaned the claw 30 is turned upsidedown to ensure that the cleaning fluid will be sucked from the interiorof the claw 30 through the gas conduit 11. Consequently, in the same wayas in the first embodiment a reliable cleaning of the gas conduit 11during the cleaning state may be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed butmay be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.

It is to be noted, that the cleaning fluid according to anotherembodiment may be sucked through the gas conduits 11 by means of arelatively low pressure, deviating from the low pressure produced by thevacuum pump 5, and achieved, for instance, by means of a separate lowpressure source.

It is also to be noted that the present invention is also applicable toa cleaning arrangement, wherein the used cleaning fluid leaving the pump7 is not re-circulated but fed to an effluent outlet.

The milking device as described herein is applicable to milking in anautomatic system with automatic attachment of the teatcups to the teatof the animal to be milked by means of a milking robot or the like, orin a manual system with manual attachment of the teatcups to the teatsof the animal.

1. A milking device operable in a milking state and a cleaning state,the device including: a milk-transporting member, which includes atleast one teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked andis arranged to permit the transporting of milk from the teat to amilk-collecting member during the milking state, wherein themilk-transporting member is connectable to a relatively low pressure forachieving said transporting by sucking milk from the teat to themilk-collecting member via the milk-transporting member during themilking state; and a gas conduit for the introduction of a gas into themilk-transporting member during the milking state in order to enhancesaid transporting of milk, wherein the gas conduit has a first endconnected to the milk transporting member and includes a gas inletmember for the introduction of said gas into the gas conduit, whereinthe gas conduit, beyond the gas inlet member, has a second end which isconnectable to a relatively low pressure for permitting a flow of acleaning fluid from the milk-transporting member through the gas conduitduring the cleaning state.
 2. A milking device according to claim 1,wherein the gas inlet member includes an opening which communicates witha relatively high pressure that is higher than said relatively lowpressure.
 3. A milking device according to claim 2, wherein saidrelatively high pressure is formed by the surrounding environment.
 4. Amilking device according to claim 1, wherein the gas inlet member isprovided at a distance from the first end and the milk-transportingmember.
 5. A milking device according to claim 1, wherein the relativelylow pressure to the milk-transporting member and the relatively lowpressure to the gas conduit are provided by at least one vacuum pump. 6.A milking device according to claim 5, wherein the vacuum pump isconnected to the milk-collecting member via a vacuum conduit (6).
 7. Amilking device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes acleaning device arranged to deliver the cleaning fluid to the teatcupfor permitting said flow through the gas conduit during the cleaningstate.
 8. A milking device according to claim 7, wherein the cleaningdevice is arranged to deliver the cleaning fluid to the teatcup forpermitting said flow to the milk-collecting member.
 9. A milking deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the cleaning device is arranged to deliverthe cleaning fluid to the teatcup for permitting said flow through themilk-transporting member.
 10. A milking device according to claim 7,wherein the cleaning device includes a cleaning nozzle to be introducedinto the teatcup, and a supply unit for supplying the cleaning fluid tothe cleaning nozzle for said delivery of the cleaning fluid.
 11. Amilking device according to claim 1, wherein the gas conduit includes avalve arranged between the gas inlet member and the second end, whereinthe valve is adapted to be closed during the milking state and to beopen during at least a part of the cleaning state.
 12. A milking deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first end of the gas conduit isconnected to the teatcup.
 13. A milking device according to claim 1,wherein the milk-transporting member also includes at least one milkhose, wherein the first end of the gas conduit is connected to the milkhose.
 14. A milking device according to claim 1, wherein themilk-transporting member also includes a claw, wherein the first end ofthe gas conduit is connected to the claw.
 15. A method of handling amilking device, the milking device including at least onemilk-transporting member including at least one teatcup, during amilking state and a cleaning state, the method including the steps of:attaching the teatcup of the milk-transporting member to a teat of ananimal to be milked; transporting milk during the during the milkingstate from the teat to a milk-collecting member by sucking milk to themilk-collecting member via the teatcup and the milk-transporting memberby applying a relatively low pressure to the milk-transporting member;and supplying a gas into the milk-transporting member via a gas conduitin order to permit said transporting of milk, wherein the gas conduithas a first end which is connected to the milk-transporting member and asecond end and further includes a gas inlet member for the introductionof said gas into the gas conduit positioned between the first end andthe second end; and including the further step of supplying a cleaningfluid from the milk-transporting member through the gas conduit duringthe cleaning state by applying a relatively low pressure to the gasconduit at the second end of the gas conduit beyond the gas inletmember.
 16. A method according to claim 15, including the further stepof communicating the gas inlet member via an opening with a relativelyhigh pressure that is higher than said relatively low pressure.
 17. Amethod according to claim 16, wherein said high pressure is formed bythe surrounding environment.
 18. A method according to, claim 15,including the further step of delivering the cleaning fluid by means ofa cleaning device to the teatcup for permitting said flow through thegas conduit during the cleaning state.
 19. A method according to claim18, including the further step of delivering the cleaning fluid to theteatcup for permitting said flow to the milk-collecting member.
 20. Amethod according to claim 19, including the further step of deliveringthe cleaning fluid to the teatcup for permitting said flow through themilk-transporting member to the milk-collecting member.
 21. A methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the gas conduit includes a valve arrangedbetween the gas inlet member and the second end, the method includingthe further steps of: closing the valve during the milking state andopening the valve during at least a part of the cleaning state.
 22. Amethod according to claim 15, wherein the cleaning device includes acleaning nozzle (22) to be introduced into the teatcup (2), and a supplyunit (21), characterised by including the further steps of: supplyingsaid cleaning fluid by means of the supply unit to a cleaning nozzle,and delivering said fluid into the teatcup by means of the cleaningnozzle.